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Smart Walker Instrumentation Using Hand Gestures
Smart Walker Instrumentation Using Hand Gestures
Smart Walker Instrumentation Using Hand Gestures
https://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2023.49316
International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 11 Issue IV Apr 2023- Available at www.ijraset.com
Abstract: The passive walker devices currently in use may steer or brake spontaneously, requiring the user to urge them ahead.
This project creates a smart walker system with sensors and actuators for enhanced support and assistance. Here, the user
controls the walker with hand gestures. Better physical support, sensory support, cognitive support, health monitoring, and
human-machine interface are the key benefits. The method incorporates gyroscopes that measure the angles of hand movements
and start the smart walker moving in the user's chosen directions. The temperature sensor, EMG sensor and gyroscope are used,
to measure the health factors such as temperature, muscle activity and leg position angles and hand angles. Arduino is used as a
control unit. It is mostly applied for the use of senior persons and people with lower limb disabilities during the rehabilitation
stage.
Keywords: Smart Walker, Hand Gestures, Gyroscope, EMG Sensor, Rehabilitation.
I. INTRODUCTION
The percentage of people in the world who are 60 or older has been rising rapidly, and by 2050, that figure is expected to reach
21%. As the population ages it is crucial that people continue to be active and move around. Impaired mobility of older adults is
linked to a loss of independence, decreased quality of life, institutionalization, and a higher risk of mortality. Unfortunately,
impaired mobility is prevalent in 44% of older adults. Mobility aids range from simple external devices such as canes to mobile
vehicles such as wheelchairs. Canes can reduce falls in patients by increasing gait stability, but they provide minimal weight
support. Wheelchairs can transport people who cannot move by themselves, but excessive sitting can cause deterioration of health.
In between the two lie walkers. Walkers provide support for weight and balance but require patients to use their own locomotion,
thus minimizing deterioration of mobility. Rollators, or wheeled walkers, are particularly liked for their usability and support for
natural gait patterns.
Smart walker system is equipped with sensors and actuators for better assistance and support. Our system is mainly providing better
physical support, sensory assistance, cognitive assistance, health monitoring, or human-machine interface. Here we are going to
design a smart walker system which can operated through hand gesture moment because Passive devices may steer or brake
automatically but require the user to push them to move forward while active ones can actively control the movement and our
system monitors several parameters of the human who uses our system like temperature ,EMG ,and leg movement and analyze and
give the entire report to mobile.
©IJRASET: All Rights are Reserved | SJ Impact Factor 7.538 | ISRA Journal Impact Factor 7.894 | 3891
International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 11 Issue IV Apr 2023- Available at www.ijraset.com
It is possible to prevent their unneeded pain and modify their walking pattern by constructing an automated smart walker with a
balance management system, fall management system, and light aid system. This device will collect the subject's dynamic EMG and
transmit it to the concerned physiotherapist. The EMG data from the patient is transmitted through Bluetooth to the therapist for
ongoing and periodic evaluation of muscle re-education. Whereas Bluetooth can only transfer data over about 10 meters, our system
has a WIFI module that can transmit data over a distance of 125 meters and also offers a suitable body weight balancing walker
III. METHODOLOGY
A. Working
The Arduino microcontroller is used in this circuit. The power supply is given from the 12V battery to the whole circuit. The buck
converter is used to convert 12V battery power supply to 5V power supply, since Arduino requires only 5V power supply. The
gyroscope is used to measure the angles of the hand gestures of the lower limb impaired people. The angles measured is converted
into signal by the gyroscope. This signal is used to drive the smart walker equipment. The H-bridge is used as actuators for the
Direct Current motors. Our system is equipped with gloves that is attached with gyroscope. The gloves can be worn by the lower
limb impaired person. After wearing, the person can keep their hands on the arm resting pad for support. Thus, the smart walker
bears the weight of the lower limb impaired blind person. Hence the pressure applied to lower limb is much reduced. When the hand
glove attached with gyroscope is moved, the H-bridge gets activated and drives the Direct Current motors. The motors induce
movement in the wheels of the smart walker.
Now, when the hand is moved upward the smart walker moves backward. When the hand is moved downward, the smart walker
moves forward. When the hand is moved rightward, the smart walker moves right side. When the hand is moved leftward, the smart
walker moves left side. The ultrasonic sensor used in the smart walker aids in detecting the obstacle that occurs in the path of
people, thus they are alerted with the upcoming obstacle. The Electromyography Sensor is placed in leg of the human to analyze
their leg improvements.
Temperature sensor is used to analyze the temperature of the person’s leg. The measured values from Electromyography Sensor,
Temperature Sensor, Ultrasonic Sensor are transmitted to the cloud through ESP8266 Wi-Fi module. The values can be reviewed by
doctor lively in the mobile/ computer system using software application.
©IJRASET: All Rights are Reserved | SJ Impact Factor 7.538 | ISRA Journal Impact Factor 7.894 | 3892
International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 11 Issue IV Apr 2023- Available at www.ijraset.com
Fig.2 Gyroscope
©IJRASET: All Rights are Reserved | SJ Impact Factor 7.538 | ISRA Journal Impact Factor 7.894 | 3893
International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 11 Issue IV Apr 2023- Available at www.ijraset.com
Connect one battery's positive terminal to the +VS pin. Then join the positive terminal of the second battery to the GND pin on the
3-pin header by connecting the negative terminal of the first battery to both batteries’ positive terminals. Next, join the -Vs pin to
the negative terminal of the second battery. The sensor receives the +/-9V dual supply from this. The Ground pin in the 2-pin header
should be connected to one of the two ground pins on the Arduino UNO in order to communicate with it. The signal pin should then
be connected to any analogue input pin, such as A1.
Fig. 5 ESP8266
©IJRASET: All Rights are Reserved | SJ Impact Factor 7.538 | ISRA Journal Impact Factor 7.894 | 3894
International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 11 Issue IV Apr 2023- Available at www.ijraset.com
IV. CONCLUSION
Smart walkers constitute a significant research area as there is an increased demand in age related issues. Physical therapy sessions
can be remotely monitored utilizing Internet connectivity and mobile applications by implementing physical rehabilitation
assessment networks based on smart walker nodes that measure force, acceleration, and motion. The applications may also enable
the client-server architecture-based storage and processing of sensor data. The findings made it abundantly evident that the
suggested technologies can significantly improve the quality of life of walkers by detecting unbalance and instability.
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